M:TO THE STATE SAYS RIGHT NOW SCAMMERS ARE USING YOUR INFORMATION FROM DATA BREACHES INVOLVING BUSINESSES TO FILE FAKE CLAIMS. OFTEN TIMES PEOPLE OPEN THEIR MAILBOX, PAPERWORK, A DEBIT CARD OR CHECK FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS THAT THEY DID NOT FILE FORWARD. THERE ARE SOME SAFEGUARDS IN PLACE, BUT SOME WOULD SAY THEY’RE WORKING A LITTLE TOO WELL. >> WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO DO SOMETHING OUABT IT? M:TO LISA WOLFE CAN’T FILE HER WEEKLY CLAIM FOR UNEMPLOYMENT, DESPITE SENDING PICTURES OF HER DRIVERS LICENSE AND A SELFIE TO A COMPANY P.A. USES TO MAKE SURE SHE IS WHO SHE SAYS SHE .IS >> THERE SHOULD BE NO ISSUE. IF THERE IANS ISSUE, I SHOULD BE ABLE TO VIDEO CHAT WITH SOMEONE LIKE I’M DOING WITH YOU. TOM: THE STATE HAS ACKNOWLEDDGE NEW I.D. VERIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMANTS MIGHT DELAY BENEFITS FROM BEING MAILED OR PROCESS.ED >> THIS IS WHAT IS NECESSARY IN ORDER TO PREVENT FRAUDSTERS FROM GETTING THROUGH. TOM: THE STATE SAYS EVERYONE SHOU TLDAKE STEPS TO LIMIT RISK FROM IDENTITY THEFT, BECAUSE SCAMMERS CAN DO MORE THAN JUST FILE FAKE UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS. >> REGULARLY MONITOR YOUR FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS AND REVIEW YOUR CREDIT REPORT TO ENSURE THE INFORMATION IS ACCURATE. M: TO THE STATE SAYS IT HAS BEEN AB LE TO PREVENT MORE THAN $1 BILLION IN FRAUDULENT UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS FOR BNGEI MAILED OUT OR DOSEPITED INTO THE ACCOUN
Unemployment fraud continues to be major problem in Pennsylvania
Updated: 5:55 PM EDT Jul 28, 2021
Unemployment fraud continues to be a major problem across the United States, including Pennsylvania.Leaders from the Department of Labor and Industry and Pennsylvania State Police held a news conference Wednesday morning to discuss the unemployment fraud issues.”Since the pandemic began last year, fraudsters have gotten and used individuals’ personal identifying information (PII) obtained from data breaches outside of state government to file for unemployment and attempt to steal those benefits. Victims oftentimes are completely unaware their PII was compromised, sometimes year before,” a statement from DOL says.What should you do if you’re a victim of unemployment fraud?WGAL continues to hear from viewers who say people have fraudulently claimed unemployment for them. You may learn you’re a victim in the following ways:When you try to file an unemployment claim. If you receive unrequested unemployment paperwork from the Department of Labor & Industry’s Office of Unemployment Compensation. If you get unemployment benefit payments you did not apply for from the Pennsylvania Treasury. If your employer receives notice that a claim has been opened even though you are still working.If you’re a victim of unemployment fraud, you should:Contact the state unemployment office.Pennsylvania has a special website just to report unemployment fraud and identity theft.Use the website if your unemployment benefits have been hijacked or if someone files a false claim using your personal information.If you are still working, you may learn of the fraud from your employer because unemployment offices will contact your employer first to verify you are no longer working before they’ll issue payments.Protect your identity.If someone is claiming your unemployment benefits, it is very likely they have your Social Security number and you are now a victim of identity theft.Go to IdentityTheft.gov, which is run by the Federal Trade Commission. The website has a step-by-step guide on how to deal with identity theft, including instructions for freezing your credit reports.File a police report.File a police report with your local department and ask for a copy of the report.It’s unlikely police will find your identity thief, but if you have any form of identity theft insurance you may need that police report if you file a claim.
Unemployment fraud continues to be a major problem across the United States, including Pennsylvania.
Leaders from the Department of Labor and Industry and Pennsylvania State Police held a news conference Wednesday morning to discuss the unemployment fraud issues.
“Since the pandemic began last year, fraudsters have gotten and used individuals’ personal identifying information (PII) obtained from data breaches outside of state government to file for unemployment and attempt to steal those benefits. Victims oftentimes are completely unaware their PII was compromised, sometimes year before,” a statement from DOL says.
What should you do if you’re a victim of unemployment fraud?
WGAL continues to hear from viewers who say people have fraudulently claimed unemployment for them. You may learn you’re a victim in the following ways:
- When you try to file an unemployment claim.
- If you receive unrequested unemployment paperwork from the Department of Labor & Industry’s Office of Unemployment Compensation.
- If you get unemployment benefit payments you did not apply for from the Pennsylvania Treasury.
- If your employer receives notice that a claim has been opened even though you are still working.
If you’re a victim of unemployment fraud, you should:
Contact the state unemployment office.
- Pennsylvania has a special website just to report unemployment fraud and identity theft.
- Use the website if your unemployment benefits have been hijacked or if someone files a false claim using your personal information.
- If you are still working, you may learn of the fraud from your employer because unemployment offices will contact your employer first to verify you are no longer working before they’ll issue payments.
Protect your identity.
- If someone is claiming your unemployment benefits, it is very likely they have your Social Security number and you are now a victim of identity theft.
- Go to IdentityTheft.gov, which is run by the Federal Trade Commission. The website has a step-by-step guide on how to deal with identity theft, including instructions for freezing your credit reports.
File a police report.
- File a police report with your local department and ask for a copy of the report.
- It’s unlikely police will find your identity thief, but if you have any form of identity theft insurance you may need that police report if you file a claim.